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European Journal of Nutrition

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Open Access 24-12-2022 | Original Contribution

Alcohol consumption: context and association with mortality in Switzerland

Authors: Flurina Suter, Giulia Pestoni, Janice Sych, Sabine Rohrmann, Julia Braun

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 3/2023

Abstract

Purpose

Non-communicable diseases generate the largest number of avoidable deaths often caused by risk factors such as alcohol, smoking, and unhealthy diets. Our study investigates the association between amount and context of alcohol consumption and mortality from major non-communicable diseases in Switzerland.

Methods

Generalized linear regression models were fitted on data of the cross-sectional population-based National Nutrition Survey menuCH (2014–2015, n = 2057). Mortality rates based on the Swiss mortality data (2015–2018) were modeled by the alcohol consumption group considering the amount and context (i.e., during or outside mealtime) of alcohol consumption and potential confounders. The models were checked for spatial autocorrelation using Moran’s I statistic. Integrated nested Laplace approximation (INLA) models were fitted when evidence for missing spatial information was found.

Results

Higher mortality rates were detected among drinkers compared to non-drinkers for all-cancer (rate ratio (RR) ranging from 1.01 to 1.07) and upper aero-digestive tract cancer (RR ranging from 1.15 to 1.20) mortality. Global Moran’s I statistic revealed spatial autocorrelation at the Swiss district level for all-cancer mortality. An INLA model led to the identification of three districts with a significant decrease and four districts with a significant increase in all-cancer mortality.

Conclusion

Significant associations of alcohol consumption with all-cancer and upper aero-digestive tract cancer mortality were detected. Our study results indicate the need for further studies to improve the next alcohol-prevention scheme and to lower the number of avoidable deaths in Switzerland.

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Title: Alcohol consumption: context and association with mortality in Switzerland
Authors: Flurina Suter
Giulia Pestoni
Janice Sych
Sabine Rohrmann
Julia Braun
Publication date: 24-12-2022
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Nutrition / Issue 3/2023
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-022-03073-w

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Abstract

Purpose

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